Consumer Council reacts to controversy over Blue Band Spread for Bread

The Consumer Protection Council, CPC, has allayed fear about the safety of Blue Band Spread for Bread arising from a short demonstration video currently trending on social media showing how the product of Unilever Nigeria Plc, reacts under certain heat conditions.

In the clip, the butter does not melt under heat and this caused the impression that it was unfit for consumption.

But reacting to the controversy, the CPC dismissed the impression in a statement signed by its Director-General, Mr. Babatunde Irukera, saying its inability to melt under heat does not make it or any other spread unsafe for consumption.

The statement read, “Butter and margarine share a particular similar characteristic – low resistance to heat. As such, both are likely to melt when subjected to certain levels of heat. Spreads, however, have varying heat resistance, depending on intended use and production process. As a result, it is not necessarily unsafe that a spread does not melt under similar heat conditions as butter, or margarine.

“Spreads are produced in part by adding emulsifiers, which are additives used in stabilising and binding processed foods. They are not inherently unsafe or uncommon. The specific emulsifying agent and amount used largely depend on many factors, including shelf life, storage, handling and climatic conditions in order to prevent microbial activity.”